Natural Remedies For Hay Fever Relief

As winter loses it’s grip and we have the occasional sunny day some unfortunate people already face the prospect of seasonal allergies. That’s right, we’re at the onset of hay fever season. Seasonal allergy sufferers have a choice between using conventional treatment or being housebound. Either they’re unable to get out and enjoy the beautiful Spring sun, or they can take medications with side effects that really knock them about. But there are many natural remedies for hay fever relief.

Hay fever occurs when pollen released from grasses and other plants is carried through the air on spring winds. These pollens affect the immune system and cause inflammatory reactions on the mucous membranes. Sneezing, itching, runny nose, coughing and congestion, hay fever (or seasonal allergic rhinitis) is enough to ruin anyone’s day. It can affect any of the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, sinuses, throat and palate, or all of them at once.

But it doesn’t need to be like this!

Natural Remedies For Hay Fever

There are many natural alternatives that provide natural antihistamines and can effectively knock hay fever symptoms on the head. These include herbs, vitamins, kitchen cures and my favourite, homeopathy,

In addition to actual remedies some precautionary practices can help minimise the effect of the allergen on your system.

Gifting your liver a Spring clean can reduce the allergic effect. These tips will help you gently detox your liver without doing a ‘full detox’.

Vitamin C and the bioflavonoid quercetin have an antihistamine effect to reduce the release of histamine.

Studies have shown a link between low zinc intake and higher allergy risk. Therefore a zinc supplement may help anyone who falls into this category.

With any aggravation of the mucous membranes it’s essential to reduce the amount of dairy food you eat. Dairy foods increase the production of mucous on these surfaces and exacerbate congestion. So eat less milk, cheese, ice-cream, cream, yoghurt and butter during hay fever season. And watch for “milk solids” often added to processed foods.

Refined starches can also stimulate mucous production. Limit bread and other baked goods to reduce the severity of your symptoms.

Increase your intake of omega 3 fatty acids over the season. These can help decrease your hay fever because they help lower the amount of inflammatory chemicals produced when you’re exposed to an allergen.

Many herbs including chamomile, stinging nettle, ginger, and butterbur have great use blocking histamine and relieving symptoms. But their effect is often limited to just some of your symptoms, not all. Plus they can take time to have an effect.

Reduce Hay Fever

Many alternative treatments, including nutrition and supplements, can alleviate hay fever by strengthening the immune system. However they don’t always give immediate relief in the moment when symptoms strike. Some can reduce symptoms when taken in mega dosage but often need to be taken in combination with others.

Disclaimer

All information and opinions presented here are for information purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation with your health care provider. Do not use this article to diagnose a health condition. Speak to your doctor if you think your condition may be serious or before discontinuing any prescribed medication. Please consult with your health care provider before following any of the treatment suggested on this site, particularly if you have an ongoing health issue.